Stand Up Rigs

[osker]

hello
I am considering stand up rigs for tuna and was wondering what may be the best suited line test rod for a shirmano 80 wide reel. 50-80 ? 80-130 ?
All opions appreciated
Also any recomendations for rod builders


Oskar

[Captain Mike Ellis]

What size tuna are you going to target. Unless you are targeting bluefin. You should be fine with a Shimano 50W loaded with 130 hollow Jerry Brown and a topshot of 80lb. Momoi Diamond line. This reel has put tuna up to 187lbs. in the boat for me. As far as rods the Cape Fear 50/80 standups are nice along with the melton tuna busters. I highly recommend a short bent butt on whatever rods you choose. Good luck with the tuna.

[osker]

Thanks for the comment.
I intend to go for Giants(600+) around New England and Marlin Down South - I m looking into 5-1/2 bent butt rods and am told by moving the reel up alitle i could use it in the chair as well but with some clearence difficulties???
whats your thoughts
Have you heard anything on the new Penn 80 VSW there releasing after the holidays ??

[Captain Mike Ellis]

You would definately have some clearence issue even with using a standard chair bent butt or straight on a standup rod. I use Cape Fear 50-80's which are 5'6" long and they are just about perfect for standup fishing. Now for 600lb bluefins. I would stick with a chair rod in the 130-unlimited class. And use the heaviest mono I could get away with. I would be more than confident on a marlin with my setups. As they have landed a few already while tuna fishing. But I might be undegunned for a 600lb tuna. As far as Penns go I am not real fond of them. I just like the Tiagras better. A Tiagra 80W loaded with 200-250 hollow spectra and a 200lb topshot will catch just about anything you would want to catch. The Louisiana state record bluefin of 1123lbs. or so was caught on a 80W I believe.

[Ken Catch]

We fish 80's for gbft. 200lb spectra topped with 200 or 130 yo-zuri. It's put 600lb bluefin in the boat. Check out Basil at http://www.bhptackle.com/ He can set you up with precut lengths and top shot setups for any size and brand of reel.

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Originally Posted by osker

Thanks for the comment.
I intend to go for Giants(600+) around New England and Marlin Down South - I m looking into 5-1/2 bent butt rods and am told by moving the reel up alitle i could use it in the chair as well but with some clearence difficulties???
whats your thoughts
Have you heard anything on the new Penn 80 VSW there releasing after the holidays ??

The Penn 80 VSW are nice reels. Capt Johnny Green aboard the Intimidator did some field testing on these reels. His website http://www.fishorangebeach.com/

Capt Ellis gives some excellent advice based on his charter experiences. I have used both the Penns and Tiagras. I prefer the Penns with the old style shifter.

IMO the plate/belt combo that you choose will have a large effect on your comfort in an extended standup fight. Moreso than the reel or rod.

I use the Smitty's extra large Long Range plate and the Spyder harness.

[Captain Mike Ellis]

Deep_Sea_Gull you hit the nail on the head. A properly adjusted stand up harness is worth it's weight in gold. If you are alreaddy dropping a thousand plus for a rod and reel. A few hundred more for a stand up harness is peanuts. I highly reccomend the Alutechnos harness setup. Braid also makes a real nice setup.

[osker]

Thats real good advise from you guys, i appreciate. the set-ups are costly and i want to get it right the first time

im leaning toward the new 80VSW Penn, Cal sheets son said his dad was testing one last week I,ll phone him tomorrow to see how he liked it. I think his son told me they can get more drag on the blueprint with the penns than with a shimaro 80. Perhaps he can get 55# i post his comments for referance once i know.
As for the rods i probably will go with a seeker 60-150 at 5'6" blank although i think the IGFA allows 5'2" which would give better leverage and allow me to troll and fish the chair with the long butt replacing the short standup butt.
Anymore comments/opinions ?
Thanks
Oskar

[Captain Mike Ellis]

I would be interested in hearing the report on the 80VSW. I am gearing up now for the winter trophy season. I have just built and installed new 80lb. Momoi Diamond topshots. All the drags are checked and the harness's are ready to go. I am looking forward to this lump season it should be uncrowded. Good luck osker on your tuna fishing. I have only caught a few bluefin and they have been small. I want to go toe to toe staand up with a 500 plus.

[justin ennis]

i like ian miller or cape fear with a tiagra 50wlrsa spooled with 150# hollow core powerpro.

[nick1234]

Check out avets 80t-rex, i think its got 160lbs of drag at strike. I'd say thats enugh for just about anything out there.